Antimitochondrial Antibody (AMA):

This test measures the amount of antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) present in the blood. The increased production of AMA is strongly associated with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). PBC is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts inside the liver, causing progressive hepatic destruction and blockage of the bile flow. It is found most frequently in women between the ages of 35 and 60. More than 90% of those affected by PBC will have significant concentrations of antimitochondrial antibodies. 

There are nine types of AMA antigens (M1 – M9) of which M2 and M9 are the most clinically significant. The presence of the M2 type has been particularly evident in PBC, while the other antigen types may be found in other conditions. 

Some laboratories have started to offer the AMA-M2 instead of the AMA, which tests for all types together

هذا الاختبار يقيس الاجسام المضادة الخاصة بالميتوكوندريا الموجودة بالدم وترتبط زيادة انتاجها بتليف الكبد حيث يحدث التهابات وتقرحات للقناة الصفراوية داخل الكبد مما يسبب تدمير الكبد وانسداد القناة الصفراوية
ويوجد في معظم الأحيان في النساء الذين تتراوح أعمارهم بين 35 و 60.
وهناك تسعة أنواع من مولدات المضادات
(M1 – M9)